Environment

The changes and wonders of the natural world—and how human interaction influences animals, the ocean, and the rest of the environment.

Latest in Environment

Surgical tools on blue backdrop.

Climate Change

Can we decarbonize surgical healthcare? Can we decarbonize surgical healthcare?

By Carla Delgado

Aerial view of high chimney pipes with grey smoke from coal power plant. Production of electricity with fossil fuel.

Climate Change

Greenhouse gases, sea level rise, and ocean acidification all broke records in 2021 Greenhouse gases, sea level rise, and ocean acidification all broke records in 2021

Photo of Fungi Tremella Mesenterica in a forest

Conservation

Earth would be unrecognizable without fungi Earth would be unrecognizable without fungi

By Matt Kasson, Et al. / The Conversation

A photo of a tiger surrounded by foliage.

Animals

Deadly tiger encounters are on the rise in India Deadly tiger encounters are on the rise in India

By Niranjana Rajalakshmi / Undark

remora fish attached to swimming manta ray

Animals

This amphibious drone hitchhikes like a suckerfish This amphibious drone hitchhikes like a suckerfish

By Charlotte Hu

Paleontologist with a laser scanner over plant imprints and other fossils in a seabed in British Columbia, Canada

Animals

These weird marine critters paved the way for the ‘Cambrian explosion’ of species These weird marine critters paved the way for the ‘Cambrian explosion’ of species

By Kate Baggaley

Palm fruit on grass.

Agriculture

Indonesia’s palm oil ban is hurting its own people the most Indonesia’s palm oil ban is hurting its own people the most

By Sara Kiley Watson

Rock containing cobalt

Electric Vehicles

Can Idaho’s newest cobalt mine dig responsibly? Can Idaho’s newest cobalt mine dig responsibly?

By Andrew Zaleski

Art from the 1960 article of Popular Science.

Environment

From the archives: Inside the U.S. Army’s plan to build a luxurious city under the Arctic From the archives: Inside the U.S. Army’s plan to build a luxurious city under the Arctic

By Bill Gourgey

A photo of drought-stricken Lake Powell.

Environment

The numbers show just how devastatingly dry the Western US is right now The numbers show just how devastatingly dry the Western US is right now

By Theo Whitcomb/High Country News

Black farmer on a no-till tractor with pistachio trees in the background

Agriculture

US farmers can help in the battle for climate resiliency. A massive bill highlights how. US farmers can help in the battle for climate resiliency. A massive bill highlights how.

By Kristine Liao

A chimpanzee sitting with a baby between her leg. Her mouth is open to yell.

Animals

By combining screams, chimps seem to know 400 ‘words’ By combining screams, chimps seem to know 400 ‘words’

By Philip Kiefer

four orange candles are in a row with a black background

DIY

How to use candles and incense sustainably How to use candles and incense sustainably

A photo of a salmon hybrid.

Animals

This wild salmon hybrid is raising concerns in Canada This wild salmon hybrid is raising concerns in Canada

By Kris Millgate/Field & Stream

Grass field with homes and wind turbines in the background.

Climate Change

Why ‘rooftop wind’ simply can’t compete with rooftop solar Why ‘rooftop wind’ simply can’t compete with rooftop solar

A close up photo of a manatee.

Conservation

Environmental groups blame the EPA for more than 1,000 dead manatees Environmental groups blame the EPA for more than 1,000 dead manatees

By Wade Thiel / Outdoor Life

A false-color image of Yosemite's half dome

Environment

These laser scans show how fires have changed Yosemite’s forests These laser scans show how fires have changed Yosemite’s forests

By Philip Kiefer

Glen Canyon dam and Arizona bridge.

Climate Change

Lake Powell’s drought is part of a growing threat to hydropower everywhere Lake Powell’s drought is part of a growing threat to hydropower everywhere

By Sara Kiley Watson

Two adults and a child in a rowboat on a calm lake at sunset. The man at the bow is paddling, the man at the back is holding a fishing rod, and the child is sitting between them.

Animals

A casual angler’s guide to taking kids fishing for the first time A casual angler’s guide to taking kids fishing for the first time

By Jean Levasseur

A closeup photo of the glass frog Hyalinobatrachium nouns, named after the Nouns DAO.

Animals

A crypto group named a new frog species, and people aren’t thrilled A crypto group named a new frog species, and people aren’t thrilled

By Kristine Liao

Quorn sausage and bean stew in a skillet.

Agriculture

This fermented meat alternative could help halve global deforestation rates This fermented meat alternative could help halve global deforestation rates

By Carla Delgado

agnes-chase-portrait

Environment

Agnes Chase, a grass scientist, showed us what ‘holds the earth together’ Agnes Chase, a grass scientist, showed us what ‘holds the earth together’

By Lina Zeldovich

A woman in hiking attire and a large backpack standing on a cliff in a mountain range.

DIY

Smart tips for travelers looking for a sustainable getaway Smart tips for travelers looking for a sustainable getaway

By Alisha McDarris

Man Standing on Rocky Mountain Under White Cloudy Sky To Improve Mental Health in Nature

Climate Change

People around the world love and grieve nature in unique ways People around the world love and grieve nature in unique ways

By Sara Kiley Watson

Barges carry illegally refined oil over the Imo River in the forested Nigeria Delta

Energy

Illegal oil refining has cost Nigerians their lives and environment for decades Illegal oil refining has cost Nigerians their lives and environment for decades

By Abdullahi Tsanni

A swarm of fossilized beetles in yellow burmite amber

Animals

A close look at amber fossils that have stuck through the ages A close look at amber fossils that have stuck through the ages

By Jarren Vink, Charlotte Hu

Yellow lawn mower next to lawn with tall grasses and pink and blue native wildflowers

Climate Change

Cities are letting plants go wild for ‘No Mow May’ Cities are letting plants go wild for ‘No Mow May’

By Kristine Liao

A collage of images from “Ozone Drone” by Steven Ashley in the July 1992 issue of Popular Science.

Aviation

From the archives: NASA dispatches drone to help rescue the ozone layer From the archives: NASA dispatches drone to help rescue the ozone layer

By Bill Gourgey

Gas meters on brick wall.

Climate Change

The EU is struggling to phase out Russian oil and gas The EU is struggling to phase out Russian oil and gas

A photo of robotic equipment on a farm.

Agriculture

Why the road to robotic farming is uncertain Why the road to robotic farming is uncertain

By Tom Johnson / Undark

The Iron Curtain’s border zone has grown into a wild, ecological haven

Animals

The Iron Curtain’s border zone has grown into a wild, ecological haven The Iron Curtain’s border zone has grown into a wild, ecological haven

By Sarah Baxter

A photo of a crocodile underwater with its mouth wide open.

Animals

Saltwater crocodiles are eating a lot of feral hogs in Australia Saltwater crocodiles are eating a lot of feral hogs in Australia

By Steven Hill/Field & Stream

Small brown-black migratory bat help in a person's hand with head facing camera

Animals

This itty bitty bat flew across two continents at record speed This itty bitty bat flew across two continents at record speed

A fire moving across a hillside at night

Climate Change

The American West is primed for a summer of fire The American West is primed for a summer of fire

By Philip Kiefer

Climate change is making the National Guard’s job hell

Climate Change

Climate change is making the National Guard’s job hell Climate change is making the National Guard’s job hell

By Haley Britzky/Task & Purpose

A SanDisk USB drive on top of an e-reader.

DIY

4 smart reasons to keep an old USB drive around 4 smart reasons to keep an old USB drive around

Lightbulbs hanging in restaurant.

Climate Change

How bad are incandescent light bulbs for the environment? How bad are incandescent light bulbs for the environment?

By Carla Delgado

A turtle crossing a road.

Animals

What to do if you find a turtle in the road What to do if you find a turtle in the road

By Natalie Wallington

A hill made of oyster shell

Animals

We have a lot to learn from Indigenous people’s oyster-shucking practices We have a lot to learn from Indigenous people’s oyster-shucking practices

By Philip Kiefer

Extreme heat in Southeast Asia has brought summer early.

Climate Change

Southeast Asia’s months-long heat wave is untenable for human health Southeast Asia’s months-long heat wave is untenable for human health

a colorful full coral reef

Climate Change

These Hawaiian corals could hold the secret to surviving warming waters These Hawaiian corals could hold the secret to surviving warming waters

By Kate Baggaley

USPS mail truck

Climate Change

The USPS is getting sued for sticking with gas-guzzling trucks The USPS is getting sued for sticking with gas-guzzling trucks

By Sara Kiley Watson

Atlanta skyline at sunset

Climate Change

Urban sprawl defines unsustainable cities, but it can be undone Urban sprawl defines unsustainable cities, but it can be undone

By Jocelyn Timperley

An illustration of obscure crops

Agriculture

5 heirloom foods that farmers want to bring back from obscurity 5 heirloom foods that farmers want to bring back from obscurity

By Andrew Zaleski

People standing on a bridge at sunset while bats fly over.

Animals

Climate change could introduce humans to thousands of new viruses Climate change could introduce humans to thousands of new viruses

By Philip Kiefer

This app is helping Californians stay on top of wildfire risks

Climate Change

This app is helping Californians stay on top of wildfire risks This app is helping Californians stay on top of wildfire risks

By Colleen Hagerty

Caribbean flamingo chick tucked into the pink feathers on the back of its parent

Animals

Before they grow into splendor, flamingos are just awkward floofs Before they grow into splendor, flamingos are just awkward floofs

By Claudio Contreras Koob and Martha A. Salazar

Solar panels on a home's roof at sunrise.

Climate Change

Outdated zoning laws are holding renewable energy back Outdated zoning laws are holding renewable energy back

Farmer working in the field.

Climate Change

Farm workers exposed to climate change effects are demanding protections Farm workers exposed to climate change effects are demanding protections

By Sarah Sax / Nexus Media

I’m killing my lawn

Environment

I’m killing my lawn I’m killing my lawn

By Scott Einsmann / Outdoor Life

White electric fan in living room.

Climate Change

Feeling hot? Try these eco-friendly tips for cooling down. Feeling hot? Try these eco-friendly tips for cooling down.

By Carla Delgado

robotic buoy floating in ocean

Animals

Whale-monitoring robots are oceanic eavesdroppers with a mission Whale-monitoring robots are oceanic eavesdroppers with a mission

By Charlotte Hu

husky staring at you intently

Animals

The biggest myth about dog breeds The biggest myth about dog breeds

How Science Has Battled Natural Disasters

Environment

How Science Has Battled Natural Disasters How Science Has Battled Natural Disasters

Some playing cards in a wooden drawer in a workshop, with the joker in the foreground.

DIY

The surprising woodworking tools you already have around the house The surprising woodworking tools you already have around the house

By Jean Levasseur

A photo of the Air Force fighting wildfires.

Air Force

Why fighting wildfires is so dangerous for Air Force pilots Why fighting wildfires is so dangerous for Air Force pilots

By David Roza/Task & Purpose

Outdoor watering must be limited in Southern California during a severe drought.

Climate Change

New water restrictions in California show just how bad the Western drought is New water restrictions in California show just how bad the Western drought is

A cracked-open coconut on a light pink background with the white outline of a palm leaf underneath.

DIY

The planet needs its peat moss. Use these gardening alternatives instead. The planet needs its peat moss. Use these gardening alternatives instead.

By Ellen Airhart

Train on tracks at small station.

Climate Change

A guide to riding public transit more, anywhere in the country A guide to riding public transit more, anywhere in the country

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Purple lupine native wildflowers at Steptoe Butte State Park in Washington

Climate Change

The future of American conservation lies in restoration, not just protection The future of American conservation lies in restoration, not just protection

By Kristine Liao

a close up of the jaw of bloodworm, which is a pinky red worm with four black fangs or "jaws" on its end.

Animals

The copper jaws of venomous bloodworms could be a win for sustainable manufacturing The copper jaws of venomous bloodworms could be a win for sustainable manufacturing

By Kate Baggaley

Vietnamese man wading in water after flooding.

Climate Change

The world is on course to experience 560 major disasters each year The world is on course to experience 560 major disasters each year

By Sara Kiley Watson

A plume of smoke viewed from above, in a valley of small pine trees.

Climate Change

Early US wildfires signal more spring infernos to come Early US wildfires signal more spring infernos to come

By Philip Kiefer

A photo of perch on a fish smoker being smoked.

Animals

Everything you need to smoke fish Everything you need to smoke fish

By Jack Hennessy / Field & Stream